Jesse Benham was born 26th October 1863 in Andover Q4 1863 vol 2c page 208. The photograph was taken at some time during the 1930’s.

Jesse Benham Birth Certificate

Jesse’s first appearance in a census is in 1871 living in a house in Charlton just outside Andover. The family in 1871 consists of James, Margaret and seven children. Also in the house is John Crouch who given his age is almost certainly Margaret’s father.

1871 Census Charlton Andover

In 1881 the census shows James and Margaret with three of their sons. Unfortunately no address is given. It is probably reasonable to assume that they were still living in the same property as they were in the previous censuses although none show an actual address merely that they lived in the hamlet of Charlton.

1881 Census Charlton Andover

Jesse Benham married Alice Froome at the Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels Knights Enham on 12th February 1887 in Andover Q1 1887 vol 2c page 303

St Michael and All Angels Knights Enham

Jesse Benham Marriage Certificate

Alice Froome Birth Certficate

Alice Froome was born on 27th January 1865 in Smannell Andover Q1 1865 vol 2c page 209. The photographs below show Alice Benham nee Froome. The first taken in about 1890 shows Alice with her oldest daughter Edith Alice Benham. The other was taken in the late 1940’s

Prior to her marriage Alice Froome lived with her family in Hurstbourne Tarrant.

1871 Census Andover

In 1881 Alice Froome is working as a domestic servant for Thomas Gerrish an estate agent in Hurstbourne Tarrant.

The photograph below shows the Benham family in about 1905. The four daughters are from left to right Edith, Ethel, Louisa and in the foreground Ida.

The Benham Family about 1905

The census for 1911 is shown under Edith Alice Benham 1890 - 1980

Jesse Benham died at his home 168 Monmouth Road Dorchester on 23rd February 1937 and is buried in Dorchester cemetery with his wife Alice. The death certificate was registered by his son in law R J W Shepard who was present at the time of death. 168 Monmouth Road backed on to the rear garden of 9 York Terrace where Reginald and Edith Shepard lived.

The photograph on the left shows the front of the house. No 168 is the middle of the three properties shown which were part of a terrace of about sixteen houses ending with a small corner shop and bakery which has now been converted into a public house, the Bakers Arms, shown on the right.

Jesse Benham Death Certificate

Jesse Benham Tombstone

Alice Benham died age 84 on 26th March 1949 in Dorchester and is buried with her husband. Like her mother in law before her she had been moved from her home t 146 Monmouth Road to Damers Hospital where she died. The death was registered by her daughter Edith Alice Shepard.